The nine days of Sharadiya Navratri festival are like a series of lessons. With every single day, Maa gives us a ray of hope, strength and peace. The nine days of the Goddesses-Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri - are nine manifestations, nine forms of life itself. Because when Maa arrives, why should she come with just one form? Shailaputri teaches us stability, to stay rooted like a mountain. Brahmacharini teaches us patience and penance.

 

Chandraghanta teaches us to be brave and warn the evil with her bell. Kushmanda shows us how to create a universe out of nothing. Skandamata teaches motherly love and protection, Katyayani teaches us fierce courage to fight for righteousness, Kalaratri teaches us to destroy fear and darkness, Mahagauri teaches us purity and new beginnings and Siddhidatri blesses us with wisdom and accomplishment. The nine days are not limited to a festival calendar, but they are a great opportunity to bring out the best from within you and to destroy the negative energies that hold you back.

 

Everyone promised Her something during those nine days, but I realised something deeper-our devotion cannot be limited to just those nine days of fasting and praying. If we truly want to be her devotees, every single person must respect every woman in the society. If every woman - a mother, a sister, a daughter, a colleague, a stranger - feels safe, respected and empowered around us, then the one to whom we prayed will be truly happy. And only then we have won, not just as a devotee of Ma Durga, but as a devotee of every woman who is a Goddess herself.